New Papanui Library Has High Priority

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31029, 7 April 1966, Page 13

New Papanui Library Has High Priority

Papanui ranks very high in, the priorities for new libraries | Cr. H. G. Hay told the annual, general meeting of the Papa-;, nui Public Library. Congratulating the library on. a “notable year of progress,”! Cr. Hay said that the question; of the future of the Papanui I

Library was not very far from the thoughts of the Council’s Library Committee, but he could not make rash promises with the committee's present capital development commitments.

“We recognise the important need for a new library to serve this northern area, and will do our best to help you,” he said. While nothing definite could be said, perhaps Papanui would be considered in 1967 or 1968. The cost of the suburban hbrarv svstem to the City Council was £60,000 at present, Cr. Hay told the meeting. Christchurch was the only place in New Zealand, and perhaps the only place in the world which ran a suburban library service on a voluntary basis, said Mr J. E. D. Stringleman, acting librarian at the Canterbury Public Library, when commenting on a statement by Cr. Hay that Papanui library showed a year of progress while some others in the city were stagnating.

Not Affected Television did not seem to be affecting the Papanui! library, said the past presi-! dent of the library committee (Mrs F. Dutton). She said! that in the last 15 months: 40.368 books had been issued and the library had pur-! chased 840 new books in that! tune. A new issuing system had; been used since September; and this had made it easier: to keep track of books. There' was still inadequate room for 1 the library even though the children’s library had been' moved to the upstairs hall.

This hall had also proved! a problem because of dis-I repair. ‘‘Unless something! drastic is done we won't have! a hall because in three or I four places the floor is going) through,” Mrs Dutton said, i The hall is also rented out: for functions, but cleaning) has proved an embarrass-! in ent. The Christchurch City: Council has told the library, committee that it will have! to hold a licence to let the| hall. The committee decided) to dispose of the hail as it is j not proving a source of revenue. Officers elected at the meet-' ing were.—Patron, the Major (Mr G. Manning); president.l

<Mr B. Offord; vice-president, ■ Mrs K. Hamilton; secretary, ! Mrs G. King; treasurer, Mr A. J. Hunt; auditor, Mr J. M. Norrie; committee, Mr J. A. Mackie, Mesdames R. Stringer, K. Browne, M. Anderton, !f. Dutton, N. Hawes, M. BurInett and P. Evans.